Rafting Types - Whitewater Racing
Whitewater Racing, also called "wildwater" or "downriver" racing, is a competitive sport that aims to canoe in the fastest time possible. This event utilizes kayaks or Canadian canoes to attain its objective of crossings a stretch of river swiftly. Whitewater Racing is another type of race distinguished from the extreme slalom and rodeo with having class II-IV whitewater as its usual favored venue.
The whitewater racing sport can be traced back in the year 1949 in Europe. It started with the formation of the International Canoe Federation, and having the first World Championships in Switzerland. This led to the whitewater racing series of World Championships every two years.
There are two categories in every whitewater racing competitions. These are the following:
- The Classic Race
The Classic Race takes place in a 4-6 miles course length, or 6-10 kilometers. Moreover, its duration last from 25-35 minutes.
- The Sprint Race
The Sprint Race course is usually between 500 and 750 meters. As its name suggests, this is a quick race that is usually completed in two minutes' time.
The classes in whitewater racing are determined based on the boat type and gender of the racer. For male competitors in the individual kayak category, their code K1, and the individual women in the same boat type as K1W. Meanwhile, in canoeing, C1 is the code for individual male contestants, while athletes in the 2-man canoe division are coded C2.
A whitewater race involves special Rafting Equipment and Gear. Other than the whitewater helmet for the racer's protection and safety, the whitewater race greatly relies on the various boats like kayaks and canoes. These types of crafts are long and narrow, with a rounded hull profile, which make them fast albeit unstable and hard to turn. These boats are made of fiberglass, and the separately molded deck (top part) and hull (bottom) are bonded with epoxy resin. Measurements for the different boats are as follows:
- Wildwater Kayaks
4.5 m (14 ft 9 in) long
60 cm (23.6 in) wide
- Wildwater Solo Canoes (C-1)
4.3 m (14 ft 1 in) long
70 cm (27.5 in) wide
- Two-person Wildwater Canoes (C-2)
5 m (16 ft 5 in) long
80 cm (31.5 in) wide
Other than the right equipment and gear, a whitewater participant needs certain specialized skills and knowledge to pull-off a triumphant race. The paddlers must have practiced and developed their technical skills in rowing their type of boat, and must have garnered strength and endurance in order to become successful. More than that, the ability to "read” the whitewater will be to the advantage of the racer. To be able to acquire these skills and abilities, the paddlers' training involves managing the fastest waters two to three times a day. Typically, they will paddle 5-10 miles a day, five to six days a week. The trainings take place either on rivers, lakes, flat-water rivers, or in an indoor pool for northern areas where rivers and lakes freezes sometime in the year. Other training exercises on can engage into as preparations for the game are weight lifting, running, or Cross Country Skiing.
With the information provided, and lots of trainings and exposures, you are now out-and-about to beat the wild waters!
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